A FAMOUS bakery business is planning to open a new shop in the heart of a city centre following the closure of a high-end kitchen showroom.

Brick Lane Bagel Co., founded by father and son duo Stuart and Elliott Hearne, is in the process of building an eatery in High Street, Colchester.

The news of the top-tier acquisition started to circulate after ‘coming soon’ signs appeared in the windows of a currently empty unit opposite Three Wise Monkeys.

The space had previously been used as the flagship showroom for Blackstone, which produces handmade and bespoke kitchen products.

Unique worktops and colourful cabinets, however, will now be replaced with counters stocking stashes of freshly-baked bagels and a range of tastebud-tingling fillings.

Everything from Irish salt beef brisket to oak-smoked salmon will make-up the bagel shop’s food-to-go-menu, as well as the brand’s delicious signature creations.

A spokesman for Brick Lane Bagel Co. said: “Underlying our main objective to create an exciting, old, food franchise is to alter how people perceive a healthy diet.

“As long as the quality of food is good and not overly processed, then eating treats can be made in moderation.

“We hope to help our customers achieve that balance through a great menu, presented in a family friendly, well-designed space.”

Colchester’s latest High Street addition comes after Smacks Hamburgers unveiled plans to launch a restaurant inside another vacant premises in the city centre.

The Gazette also recently revealed how Elysium Group has submitted proposals for a former Post Office building at the top of North Hill to be turned into a Moxy Hotel.

Adam Fox, Colchester councillor in charge of local economy and transformation, said he was thrilled to hear Brick Lane Bagel Co. had chosen to open a store in the area.

He said: “It is a really positive move and I am really pleased to see another new business opening in the High Street.

"It shows the High Street is not dead, it is just changing, and Colchester continues to be a thriving place.

"It is great to see somewhere new opening up and I will definitely be looking to try it out.

"It is interesting because there is another new café opening up just around the corner from there as well, so people clearly still have faith in the city centre."